Crystal Palace vs Brentford Preview: Probable Lineups, Prediction, Tactics, Team News & Key Stats

Crystal Palace return to home comfort and face Brentford in a midweek Premier League clash, as Patrick Vieira looks to banish the weekend’s result.

It’s not easy for any manager to see their team lose from a position where they were favourites to win the clash. Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira will take plenty of positives from their disappointing loss to Manchester City, having taken a two-goal lead in the first half.

An Erling Haaland hat-trick in the second half did Crystal Palace no good, who will look to regroup at Selhurst Park as fixtures come thick and fast. Vieira will hope to get a quick response from his side, who have made an excellent start to the season.

Vieira will emphasize defending leads, as the Manchester City result was the third time in four games that Palace failed to win a game when they were ahead. In midweek, the French manager will face a different challenge from the last four games as they take on Brentford, who have had an excellent start to the season.

After Brentford collected their fifth point of this campaign, Thomas Frank will hope to see his team develop further. Following their swashbuckling victory over Manchester United a few weeks ago, The Bees suffered a late defeat at the hands of Fulham.

They could only manage a draw against a struggling Everton side at the weekend, as Frank will be keen on another victory to raise the team’s levels. Incidentally, the Bees have been resilient for a side going behind in many recent games, as they have recovered well from such situations.

However, the recent form against Palace at Selhurst Park is not convincing, as they are winless in their last four away games. Brentford last won at this ground in 1957, although they have only lost here once in the next 12 fixtures.

Team News & Tactics

Crystal Palace

Patrick Vieira had some fitness concerns in the aftermath of the Manchester City defeat. While Wilfried Zaha was ruled out on the eve of the clash, Tyrick Mitchell limped off in the second half. Vieira insisted both players have since returned to the training ground but did not confirm their involvement from the start against Brentford.

Vieira may strongly consider benching them or resting them all together, considering there’s going to be a game again at the weekend. Both those stars are essential to the manager’s ideas on the pitch; however, a late call could be expected on the duo.

Meanwhile, James McArthur is on the road to recovery, but Jack Butland remains sidelined with a broken wrist. The other absentees are James Tomkins and Nathan Ferguson, as Vieira will have to contend without them.

Michael Olise is fit and made a cameo appearance against Manchester City. However, there are doubts about his fitness to start games yet, as Vieira takes it steadily before introducing him regularly from the off. Moreover, Jordan Ayew has been playing well on the right wing.

Vieira will look to field a similar team from the weekend game, with Jeffrey Schlupp likely to move into the left-back slot. The manager will decide to either start Olise or push Odsonne Edouard on the left wing, although the latter has momentum with him and could be expected to start.

Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Guaita; Ward, Andersen, Guehi, Schlupp; Hughes, Doucoure, Eze; Ayew, Mateta, Edouard

Brentford

Thomas Frank will likely continue with the recent 4-3-3 shape of his team. A few players are doubtful for the midweek clash, but none are confirmed absentees.

Those are Ethan Pinnock, Sergi Canos and Kristoffer Ajer. Pontus Jansson suffered a foot injury that made him miss the Everton clash and remains a doubt for Palace.

Frank could look to include Vitaly Janelt from the start after he scored since coming on as a substitute against Everton. Meanwhile, Mikkel Damsgaard could also be chosen to make his full debut for the club, as he could come into the front three alongside Ivan Toney and Bryan Mbeumo.

Janelt will slot in a midfield three alongside Christian Norgaard and Mathias Jensen. Frank could field a back four of Aaron Hickey, Mads Sorensen, Ben Mee and Rico Henry.

Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Raya; Hickey, Sorensen, Ben Mee, Henry; Janelt, Norgaard, Jensen; Mbeumo, Toney, Damsdaard

Key Stats

• Crystal Palace have won just two of their last 19 London derbies, coming last season against Tottenham and Arsenal.
• Crystal Palace have lost just two games at home in their previous 9 in the Premier League.
• Brentford are winless in their last 4 away games against Crystal Palace.
• Brentford have scored at least 2 goals in 5 of their last 6 away matches in the Premier League.
• Brentford have conceded at least 2 goals in their last 4 away matches in the Premier League.

Player To Watch

Eberechi Eze

In the first half against Manchester City, there were notions that Eze was why Palace fans did not miss Zaha on the field. Despite their talisman’s absence, Eze took up the mantle to lead the attack and provided the spark needed for the team.

He may have to retake responsibility, as Zaha is expected to remain absent against Brentford. After a difficult season last time out, this campaign could be when we see Eze’s natural qualities.

Prediction

Crystal Palace 1-1 Brentford

Both teams are in a mixed run of form, and there is no possibility of pointing at a probable winner here. Crystal Palace have been good in patches but conceded eight goals in four games already. However, their performances have been much better this time, which needs a bit of consistency.

Brentford are in a similar run of form as well. They were expected to take off since that big victory over Manchester United but have not necessarily responded positively yet. This clash is poised for a low-scoring draw.